How To Use A Pressure Cooker Safely

Pressure cooker is popular for cooking food fast in an efficient manner. There is also no risk of loss of vitamins and minerals when cooking in a pressure cooker. Even though the modern pressure cookers are equipped with a host of safety features, there are some precautions that you need to take for cooking safely using a pressure cooker.

Check the rubber seal

The rubber seal which surrounds the lid of the pressure cooker also called rubber gasket prevents steam from escaping during the cooking process. The rubber gasket should always be checked for rips and cracks. The gasket should also not be dried out. Dried food particle sticking to the lid can also harm the rubber gasket and must be removed. Replacing the rubber gasket annually is a suitable course of action. Keeping an extra gasket is also beneficial.

Liquid filling

Steam built up inside the pressure cooker comes from water or some other liquid. Thus, pressure cooker needs enough water to generate adequate amount of steam. The amount of water mentioned in a pressure cooker recipe must be strictly adhered to. However, if you have your own recipe, you need to use at least 1/2 cup of water or some other liquid. Some more liquid can be added if steam fails to build up inside the pressure cooker.

The pressure cooker must never be overfilled. The liquid should not occupy more than 2/3rd space in the pressure cooker because then there will be no space left for the steam.

Clean vent tube

Vent tube located on the top of the lid of the pressure cooker is the conduit for the steam to escape when excess pressure builds inside it. The vent tube should be free of clogging. Thus, it is necessary to clean the vent tube after cooking. Look through the vent tube to ensure that it is not blocked.

Avoid pressure frying

Pressure cooker should not be used for frying. This is because more than a miniscule amount of oil in the pressure cooker will cause the gasket and other parts of the pressure cooker to melt.

Releasing pressure and opening the pressure cooker

The pressure cooker’s steam release valve needs to be pulled for quickly releasing the steam trapped in the pressure cooker. Your hands, face and body should be away from the vent when you release the valve. After the steam has been released, open the lid and keep it over the pan so that the hot steam that arises from the pan condenses on the lid.